Foreigner detained for entering into Jagannath temple at Puri

Puri: A foreign tourist was detained at the Sri Jagannath temple on Sunday while he was trying to enter into the temple.

Gobinda Debadas, a German citizen, was stopped by temple priests for allegedly trying to enter into the world famous 12th century shrine of Lord Jagannath here on Sunday. As per reports, he was trying to enter the Hindu shrine from the Simhadwar (Lion’s Gate) along the Grand Road during afternoon hours.

Seeing him entering into the temple, a servitor Bamadeb Pujapanda stopped him and enquired about his nationality suspecting his appearance.

After knowing about his nationality, the servitor asked him not to go inside but tourist was defiant and proceeded towards the temple.

He claimed that many tourists who are non-Hindus have entered into the temple hiding their real identity and further said that he is great devotee of Lord Jagannath and even has an idol of the Lord at his house in Germany. As such, he should be allowed for the darshan.

Following this, the Singhadwar police rushed to the spot and detained the defiant tourist.